Navy out to retain Ronda lead

SPRINTER Jan Paul Morales of Navy-Standard Insurance will be looking to keep the overall lead as the Mindanao leg of the LBC Ronda Pilipinas 2016 resumes in Cagayan De Oro City Tuesday.

Morales, who suffered bruises on his right shoulder and thigh after figuring in a crash in Sunday’s stage 2, said the accident won’t prevent him from retaining the red leadership jersey after Tuesday’s 2.40-kilometer third stage.

Ahead of the field with 29 points, Morales finished second to teammate Ronald Oranza in the last two laps in Butuan City but accumulated more points in the intermediate sprint and king of the mountain side events.

“Nothing serious, they’re just bruises,” said the 31-year-old Morales, a former national team rider from Calumpang, Marikina.

Navy team captain Lloyd Lucien Reynante is running second overall with 23 points fueled by his KOM exploits in the earlier stages even as third-running Oranza remains top favorite to rule today’s stage anew.

“I still have some fight in me.  I still feel young,” said Reynante, the 37-year-old son of the late two-time Tour winner Maui Reynante.

Oranza, a former bike mechanic from Pangasinan, ruled the first two laps capped by his 3.71 km stage 2 triumph.

Occupying fourth and fifth places, respectively, are Rudy Roque (17 points) and Daniel Ven Carino (16).